The 6,000 American soldiers deployed in Iraq will soon return home. Four days after eliminating Iranian General Soleimani, Washington announced to the Iraqi military command number two "to reposition" anti-Jihadist coalition forces in an effort to "withdraw safely and effectively from Iraq" letter of which AFP was able to consult a copy.
Two American and Iraqi military officials confirmed to AFP the authenticity of this letter signed by General William H. Seely, commander of US military operations in Iraq. "We respect your sovereign decision which orders our departure," adds the missive.
Threat of eviction
This decision is linked to the American strike on Iraqi territory which eliminated Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. On Sunday, the Iraqi parliament voted to expel American forces in the name of its sovereignty. In the process, Donald Trump had threatened Iraq with sanctions, which prompted Baghdad to back off and advocate for a negotiated withdrawal.
Between 2003 and 2011, the conflict in Iraq mobilized up to 200,000 American soldiers. More than 4,000 US military personnel have been killed and nearly 50,000 injured.
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